Transit Quarterly - Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan

Transit Quarterly Summer 2015

Inside this issue:

About the RTA, What we’re doing,

And why we need you!

Summer 2015 Dear Friend, It has been an exciting summer so far for the RTA and we are putting rubber to pavement to connect Southeast Michigan. In May we launched the Regional Master Transit Plan process that will create a blueprint for how to move our region forward. Since then we have been collecting public input to ensure this plan will truly be a product that we collectively own as a region. We continuously encourage feedback from you, your friends, family, and neighbors about what this region needs in a regional public transit system. This region has a unique opportunity to invest in a regional transit network that meets the needs of Southeast Michigan. We have increasing congestion on our roads, rising gas prices, and many people either experience great difficulty getting to work or cannot get there at all. The RTA recognizes the need for improved accessibility, reliability, frequency, and hours of service. The RTA believes that transit can provide a solution to many of these issues. When we invest in transit, we grow as a community. Investment in transit yields real and measurable results. In fact, it has been proven time and again that every dollar spent on public transit typically yields four dollars in economic returns. Transit directly contributes to creating: • More prosperous regions by getting people to work and attracting new business; • More competitive regions by retaining talent; • Healthier regions by providing access to healthcare, senior care, disability mobility options, and good food for healthy growth; and • More vibrant regions by allowing people to get anywhere they would like to go, whether that is work, medical appointments, entertainment destinations, or shopping. In order to see a healthier, vibrant, and more connected region, we must collectively agree to a vision and a plan for implementation. We are in the process of developing the Regional Master Transit Plan, complete with investment scenarios for your consideration, and we will be inviting you to provide input this fall (public engagement dates to be announced soon!). We look forward to engaging with you in a robust and meaningful community conversation that will shape the future of public transportation in Southeast Michigan. Please visit our website at www.rtamichigan.org. It has been recently redesigned and is full of information on the plan, community engagement events, and how you can be more involved with the RTA. Most importantly, you can use a tool there called MySidewalk to provide your input on our transit vision. Our region is known for its incredible spirit of resilience, innovation, and creativity. Let’s work together to create a transit plan that will support regional growth and serve all of us, now and in the future.

Michael Ford, CEO Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan

83% 73% of Metro Detroit Millennials want better access to mass transit.1

of older Americans say public transit offers easy access to things in everyday life.2

Image source: www.magazine.good.is 1 Crain’s Detroit Business 2 TransFORM Kansas City

About the RTA The RTA was created by Public Act No. 387 of 2012. Its 10-member board is appointed for threeyear terms by the County Executives of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, the Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, the Mayor of Detroit, and the Governor of Michigan. The Governor’s appointee serves as Chair, without a vote. Our mission is to manage and secure transportation resources that significantly enhance mobility options, to improve quality of life for the residents and to increase economic viability for the region.

Contact Us WEB: www.rtamichigan.org ADDRESS: 1001 Woodward Ave Suite 1400, Detroit, MI 48226 PHONE: 313-402-1020 EMAIL: [email protected] FACEBOOK: facebook.com/rtamichigan TWITTER: @rtamichigan MY SIDEWALK: www.rtamichigan.org/input

Regional Transit Authority | Summer 2015 |

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Did

you k

An individual can save almost

$10,000 per year by

switching their commute to public transportation. That is a savings of $800

per month by riding public transportation!

no w?

Current RTA Projects The RTA is working on four simultaneous projects:

Tell us what you think with #HeyRTA

• Regional Master Transit Plan

Needs. Concerns. Hopes. Questions. Whatever your thoughts are about regional transit in Southeast Michigan, we’d love to hear them.

• Woodward Avenue Transit Corridor Study • Gratiot Avenue Transit Corridor Study • Michigan Avenue Transit Corridor Study

Why these corridors? Woodward, Gratiot, and Michigan Avenues are three corridors identified by the RTA legislation for future rapid transit service in Southeast Michigan. Together, these are Southeast Michigan’s most traveled corridors, traversing four counties and serving 4.2 million people. They have been selected for rapid transit studies due to a combination of travel patterns and demand, existing and potential ridership, existing transit services, and previous planning efforts. While the automotive industry still shapes the Motor City, a significant number of households along these corridors do not have access to a vehicle, and many more just want better transit options and to be better connected to work, home, and other destinations. Woodward, Gratiot, and Michigan Avenues are unique opportunities to provide a much needed service, connecting a large part of our region to key destinations. To stay engaged with all four RTA projects, visit www.rtamichigan.org. We will be updating the website continuously with the latest information, presentations, documents, and upcoming public meetings.

#HeyRTA is our first campaign to get people talking about regional transit planning in Southeast Michigan and another way for the RTA to hear your insights and ideas. Share your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter with #HeyRTA.

2h Candice B. @cbow1435 @rtamichigan #HeyRTA! In the future, I hope I’m able to use just one pass for all transportation modes in the region. 109 RETWEETS 75 FAVORITES

Mark N. - 65 like this Yesterday at 2:35pm

#HeyRTA! I want a better way to go to the airport than driving myself, paying for parking, and driving home. Does the RTA have plans for rapid transit between DTW and major town centers? Like • Comment • Share

Opposite page: Pictured: Ginny Lickliter, RTA staff, and Marie Pacini, RTA Citizens Advisory Committee member, at the RTA Launch Event on May 12, 2015. Image source: Gerald Hassenpacher, 12 May 2015. Data source: American Public Transportation Association, “Transit Savings Report” (10 June 2015) Regional Transit Authority | Summer 2015 |

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Regional Master Transit Plan An Update on How We’re Building Equitable, Sustainable Transit

About the Project

Project Timeline

The RTA is committed to creating a Regional Master Transit Plan for Southeast Michigan and rapid transit along Michigan, Gratiot, and Woodward Avenues.

Work is underway to understand the existing transit system. The RTA team is reaching out to our communities this summer to talk with people about their transit needs.

With a connected network of rapid transit and a plan for improved regional transit, your travel future may look a lot different than what it is now.

Project Objectives On May 12, 2015 the RTA officially launched a program to engage the 4.2 million people in Southeast Michigan in a community conversation about their vision for a multi-modal transit system throughout the 2,752 square-mile, four-county region of Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties.

FALL 2015 In the fall we will host a series of public meetings and publish information on several scenarios outlining what future transit service might look like and how much it will cost. Your input will help shape the selection of the scenarios that will then become part of the plan. WINTER 2015 - 2016

This vision, formally known as Building Equitable Sustainable Transit (BEST) Regional Master Transit Plan, will:

The first draft of the plan is expected to be available in November for public input. Revisions will be made, and the final plan will then be given to the RTA Board for adoption.

• Examine the state of our current transit system and tell us what will happen if nothing changes.

FALL 2016

• Determine the appropriate mix of transit service to meet Southeast Michigan’s needs.

In November 2016 the RTA will be asking you the ultimate question: Are you ready to make it real by helping to fund the plan?

• Recommend future transit service, including new rapid transit along major corridors throughout the region, better coordination between the existing providers (AAATA, DDOT, DTC, M-1 Rail, and SMART), east-west connections, and service connecting to passenger rail stations and Detroit Metro Airport. • Propose a realistic funding strategy and required steps to make the vision a reality over the next twenty years.

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| Regional Transit Authority | Summer 2015

Stay engaged at www.rtamichigan.org/master-plan.

Study Area of the Regional Master Transit Plan

MACOMB COUNTY

OAKLAND COUNTY PONTIAC

MT CLEMENS

PONTIAC TRANSIT CENTER TROY TRANSIT CENTER ROYAL OAK TRANSIT CENTER

WAYNE ROSA PARKS COUNTY TRANSIT CENTER BLAKE TRANSIT CENTER (ANN ARBOR)

LAKE ST CLAIR

STATE FAIRGROUNDS TRANSIT CENTER CITY AIRPORT

DETROIT ANN ARBOR

WASHTENAW COUNTY

YPSILANTI TRANSIT CENTER

DINGELL TRANSIT CENTER (DEARBORN) WINDSOR, CANADA

DETROIT METRO AIRPORT LEGEND RTA corridor projects Highways County borders

PROJECT SNAPSHOT STUDY AREA SIZE

2,752 square miles

COMMUNITIES

157 municipalities

If mobility is restrained, it limits our ability to grow as a region.

4 counties POPULATION

4.2 million people

CURRENT TRANSIT PROVIDERS

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PROJECT STATUS

• Project kicked-off in spring 2015 • Community outreach is ongoing • Final plan expected December 2015

Sandy Baruah President and CEO Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Regional Transit Authority | Summer 2015 |

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Woodward Avenue Connecting Communities from Detroit to Pontiac

Improving “Michigan’s Main Street” Woodward Avenue, nicknamed “Michigan’s Main Street,” was the first of three corridors studied for rapid transit in the region. Over the past two years, we asked residents and businesses along Woodward in a series of public meetings what fast, reliable, and improved public transit means to them. Strong participation and input from Woodward corridor communities determined Woodward would be the region’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

Recommendations The Woodward Avenue “Locally Preferred Alternative” plan, completed last fall, has all the necessary elements for faster and more reliable travel using transit along Woodward. Recommendations include:

OAKLAND COUNTY PONTIAC BLOOMFIELD HILLS

BLOOMFIELD TWP

BIRMINGHAM BERKLEY HUNTINGTON WOODS PLEASANT RIDGE

ROYAL OAK FERNDALE

HIGHLAND PARK

WAYNE COUNTY

DETROIT WINDSOR, CANADA

PROJECT SNAPSHOT TRANSIT CORRIDOR LENGTH

27 miles

COMMUNITIES

11 municipalities 2 counties

PROJECT STATUS

• LPA adopted fall 2014 • Environmental Review in progress (completion expected February 2016)

• Transit-only lanes on approximately 18 miles of the corridor to reduce transit delays in traffic and improve transit reliability. • 26 stations in 10 communities to increase access to transit. • Connections to three transit centers and downtown Royal Oak to provide easy transfers to SMART, DDOT, the People Mover, AMTRAK, Regional Rail, Megabus, the future M-1 Rail streetcar, and Transit Windsor. Read the full report at www.woodwardanalysis.com.

What’s next for the Woodward Avenue Project? The Woodward Avenue project moves to the Environmental Review phase to be initiated this summer, having adopted the BRT model as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) in fall 2014. During the Environmental phase, the BRT model will be reviewed. Environmental Review, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), is a necessary step for implementing major infrastructure projects.

Stay engaged at www.rtamichigan.org/Woodward.

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Planning for Rapid Transit on Gratiot Avenue

Gratiot Avenue Connecting Communities from Detroit to Mount Clemens

There is a lot going on along Gratiot Avenue in Wayne and Macomb counties: active neighborhoods and community groups, colleges, shopping, jobs, redeveloping downtowns in Detroit, Eastpointe, Roseville, Mount Clemens, and a strong commercial core in Clinton Township. About 15% of households within a mile of the Gratiot corridor do not have a vehicle. Bus service along Gratiot Avenue, provided by both DDOT and SMART, has some of the highest ridership in the region with over 12,000 riders per day.

MACOMB COUNTY MT CLEMENS

CLINTON TWP

ROSEVILLE EASTPOINTE

WAYNE COUNTY

DETROIT WINDSOR, CANADA


23 miles

COMMUNITIES


PROJECT STATUS

• Project kicked-off in spring 2015 • Transit alternative to be identified and public meeting to be held in fall 2015 • LPA plan completion expected March 2016

The need for rapid transit along the Gratiot corridor has been documented since before 2001. When area residents were asked how they felt about current transit along the corridor, many expressed frustration at the lack of a one-ride, mid-day transit service connecting Macomb County and Detroit. One resident explained that sometimes the bus is so overcrowded she has no choice but to wait for the next one to arrive. The RTA’s Gratiot Avenue Corridor Study will identify what kind of rapid transit is desired, where it will go, and where the stations will be located. Over the next year, the Gratiot project team will be developing plans and asking residents, employers, and many others along the corridor for additional input.

Stay engaged at www.rtamichigan.org/Gratiot.

I’ve noticed that public transportation here is not great. In a community like this, people need access to resources like health care and fresh produce. It’s all about being able to get what you need to sustain life. David Bowens Visiting Metro Detroit for the summer from Texas Regional Transit Authority | Summer 2015 |

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Planning for Rapid Transit on Michigan Avenue

Michigan Avenue Connecting Communities from Detroit to Ann Arbor

The Michigan Avenue transit corridor project is the third major corridor the RTA is studying in Southeast Michigan. The planning process will result in the identification of a “Locally Preferred Alternative” (LPA), which will include a preferred transportation mode, preferred routes, and potential station locations. The Michigan Avenue corridor under study stretches 40 miles between Detroit and Ann Arbor, through 13 cities and townships where there are nearly 600,000 residents and jobs. This corridor is also home to some of the region’s most important destinations, including universities, neighborhoods, job centers, cultural attractions, and Detroit Metro Airport. There has been a 26% increase, in transit users along this corridor over the past 13 years, and early projections show this number will continue to grow.

WASHTENAW COUNTY CANTON ANN ARBOR TWP YPSILANTI

DEARBORN HEIGHTS INKSTER DEARBORN WAYNE

PITTSFIELD TWP

WESTLAND ROMULUS

DETROIT

WINDSOR, CANADA

YPSILANTI VAN BUREN TWP TWP WAYNE COUNTY


40 miles

COMMUNITIES


PROJECT STATUS

• Project kicked-off in spring 2015 • Transit alternative to be identified and public meeting to be held in fall 2015 • LPA plan completion expected March 2016

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Over the next year, the Michigan Avenue project team will work to determine necessary transit improvements to better meet travelers’ needs and support the long-term transportation and land use vision of communities, major institutional stakeholders, employers, and transportation providers along the corridor. The project team will also use a combination of data and input from corridor community residents and businesses to identify the most appropriate rapid transit option for the Michigan Avenue corridor between Detroit and Ann Arbor. Stay engaged at www.rtamichigan.org/Michigan.

ow? n k you d i D

Home values performed

42% better

on average if they were located near public transportation with highfrequency service.

Future M-1 Rail streetcar on Woodward Avenue, Image source: mlive.com Data source: American Public Transportation Association

Transit 101 ow? n k you d i D

$1

$4

Every dollar invested in public transportation generates four dollars in economic returns.1

Pictured: Delora Hall Tyler (consultant) and a member of the public sharing their thoughts on regional transit at the RTA Launch Event on May 12, 2015. Image source: Gerald Hassenpacher, 12 May 2015 Data source: American Public Transportation Association

Transit 101 Visit just about any other major city in the world – from Boston to Budapest – and you will find a robust public transportation system taking residents and visitors to places they want and need to go. What they have, that we do not (yet), is a regional transit system.

I work for Russell Street Deli, and after work, I could go to Wayne State or Downtown without getting stuck in rush hour traffic! Chelsea Button

So come on, Southeast Michigan, let’s raise our transit acumen. Here are 10 things all of us should know about regional transit.

1

What exactly is regional transit?

Regional transit is a network of public transportation connecting people to the places they want and need to go. That includes north-south connections, east-west connections, and everything in between.

Grand Blanc

2

Where can transit take me?

Transit is about connectivity. It can take you to work, the homes of friends and family, the airport, doctor appointments, sporting events, shopping centers, the movies, restaurants, and many more places. The RTA wants to know where you need to go!

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) of Southeast Michigan is the agency charged with creating a regional transit system to make better connections within and between Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. These counties are working together with the RTA to create a system that will benefit the entire region.

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Why is transit important for the region?

Transit is an investment in our region. Southeast Michigan has seen a decrease in population and jobs. Regions with transit are more successful at attracting new businesses, retaining Millennials, and drawing new residents – all three are essential to supporting and building local communities and Michigan’s economy. Transit also helps reduce both traffic congestion and pollution.

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3

Why is transit important to me?

Transit is a service for everyone. It is used by students, families, workers, those with disabilities, Millennials, seniors, and everyone in between. Some benefits of transit include saving money on gas and owning a car, freeing time in your schedule, decreasing stress levels associated with driving in traffic, helping transport non-driving family members, providing more options for places to live, and improving health. Having reliable, affordable transit in a community can also contribute to increased property values.

What are the types of transit?

Transit is more than wheels. Transit includes streetcar, bus, bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, and paratransit. Every option is being considered as we look for the best way to deliver equitable, sustainable transit to Southeast Michigan.

LOCAL BUS

PARATRANSIT

BRT

STREETCAR

COMMUTER RAIL

HEAVY RAIL

Regional Transit Authority | Summer 2015 |

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Transit 101, continued

I don’t currently ride transit. Back in the 90’s was the last time I caught a bus. I was glad that it was available. If it wasn’t, I couldn’t have gotten to work or have taken my children back and forth to daycare. If you don’t have transportation, you still have to work.

Grace Howard Grosse Pointe Park

Must-Haves of Good Public Transit

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What are the qualities of good transit?

Good transit systems should be designed and improved for maximum value to transit users and the region as a whole. Good transit relies on a number of characteristics being present:

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Who currently provides transit in Southeast Michigan?

There are currently five public transit providers in Southeast Michigan:

M-1 Rail

M-1 RAIL will become the fifth transit provider in late 2016/early 2017. The M-1 RAIL streetcar will travel a 3.3-mile route along Woodward Avenue from downtown Detroit to the New Center area.

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• Reliability (on time) • Frequency (comes often) • Not overcrowded • Affordable • Easy to use • Safe • Connectivity between many places

Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) A local bus system covering Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park.

Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC) Owner and operator of the Detroit People Mover elevated monorail system in downtown Detroit.

Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART)

A regional bus system that travels to areas of Metro Detroit that have opted to be a part of the SMART system.

The Ride

A local bus system that is part of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA) providing service to Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

Transit 101, continued First, my clients use the bus to do the everyday things that people with cars take for granted, like going to work and medical appointments. Improving transit would improve their lives. Second, traffic has gotten so congested in certain areas that having buses that travel in dedicated lanes would be much better than being stuck in traffic. Third, when you go to New York, there are subways; in Portland, they have BRT and light rail. Everyone else has reliable public transit. Why can’t we? Martha Young Ann Arbor

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What is transit like in other major cities?

9

What will it cost to improve transit in Southeast Michigan?

Public transit brings benefits to individuals and entire communities, making cities with good transit attractive places to live and visit.

The RTA is currently studying the region’s transit needs. The RTA will have a clearer idea of the cost to create a better transit system once those studies have been completed.

SPENDING ON TRANSIT

MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL

ATLANTA

CLEVELAND

CHICAGO

DENVER

PITTSBURGH

SEATTLE

BOSTON

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

$100

Denver, CO

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) operates a streetcar, BRT, and a bus system. MARTA contributes $476 million per year to Atlanta’s economy.

The Greater Cleveland RTA includes rail, bus, BRT, trolley, and paratransit service. The BRT, known as the HealthLine, launched in 2008 and has generated $114 dollars for each dollar invested.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates a bus and light rail system over a service area of 2,337 square miles (Metro Detroit is 2,752 square miles). They also run a bus service called SkyRide that travels to and from the airport to locations around the Denver area.

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What do you want to see in transit? Where do you want it to take you, your family, and friends?

The RTA’s goal is to create a system that’s by, and for, the people of Southeast Michigan. In order to make that happen, the RTA needs to hear from you. Express your thoughts and ideas for regional transit at: WEB: www.rtamichigan.org

PHONE: 313-402-1020

$400

$200

Cleveland, OH

ADDRESS: 1001 Woodward Ave, Suite 1400, Detroit, MI 48226

SPENDING PER CAPITA, COMPARED TO PEER CITIES

$300

Atlanta, GA

EMAIL: [email protected] FACEBOOK: facebook.com/rtamichigan TWITTER: @rtamichigan MY SIDEWALK: www.rtamichigan.org/input

Source: National Transit Database Regional Transit Authority | Summer 2015 |

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Next issue:

Experiences of current transit riders.

Tell us your story

at www.rtamichigan.org/input.

Connect with the RTA WEB: www.rtamichigan.org ADDRESS: 1001 Woodward Ave, Suite 1400, Detroit, MI 48226 PHONE: 313-402-1020 EMAIL: [email protected] FACEBOOK: facebook.com/rtamichigan TWITTER: @rtamichigan MY SIDEWALK: www.rtamichigan.org/input

Front cover image: RTA Launch Party, 12 May 2015, Campus Martius (Image Source: Gerald Hassenpacher) Back cover image: “Biking on Woodward Avenue” (Image Source: Wikipedia, Fishtoes2000)